Moablaou-SA, it's a whole story, but above all the figures that make you dizzy: 200,000 laying hens, 150,000 to 180,000 eggs and 25 tonnes of poultry and livestock feed produced per day, 100 direct jobs and 1 200 indirect jobs ... and a turnover of 2 billion CFA francs in 2018.

The revolt

It all started in 1986. Returning from a study trip to the Agronomic University of Gembloux in Belgium,

the young Abou Simbel Ouattara, then stationed at the National Grains Office (OFNACER), rebelled. For him, the difference in development between European and African countries is at the level of thoroughness. He resigned from his post as regional director of the Office in Koupéla to venture into modern poultry farming. The man who has spent 11 years as a state employee wants to be more useful to his community.

Madness

He moved to the village of Kosyam and started with 500 layers. Then, facing a capital that was gaining belly, he migrated to Nambé in the commune of Koubri. "At the beginning, it was crazy because nobody believed that we could earn our bread in this activity. It was laborious because you had to work two or three times more than elsewhere, "he says. The entrepreneur also remembers the taunts his son suffered in 1993 while preparing for the Certificate of Primary Education. “When asked what his dad does for an activity, he said that his father is raising chickens. The class laughed and even the teacher. He came home very unhappy. ”

From distrust to tax confidence

In 2005, Moablaou moved up a gear by industrialized poultry farming in a controlled atmosphere. In other words, all the production buildings are air-conditioned and the automation is pushed to the maximum so that the vagaries of the weather do not have a negative impact on production.

At this point, the entrepreneur escapes a tax adjustment. "It was in 2005-2006 when we filed the financial statements. We had invested $ 400 million for industrialization. Tax officials called my accountant to tell him that no chicken farmer can invest 400 million CFA francs. They told him that if he did not correct the figures, the company would suffer a turnaround. I made an appointment with the head of the tax division. And I asked him to visit us. He went to our farm, accompanied by two other people. They were wonderfully surprised and apologized, ”said Mr. Ouattara.

Work, pleasure

Unlike other entrepreneurs who almost ditched everything, Abu Simbel Ouattara, he did not allow himself to be overwhelmed by discouragement despite the avian flu epidemic which has decimated its 120,000 laying hens. "I had no choice because I had cut ties with the public administration. Likewise, I rarely give up. I do not disperse in several activities either. I know my strengths and my weaknesses, "says the man for whom work should not be experienced as labor but rather as pleasure.

Human strength

The strength of Moablaou, according to its promoter, is its 32 years of experience, the quality of its production and its human strength. As the business grew, it set up human milestones to meet demand. The company's technical director is a veterinarian. The team includes two livestock engineers and senior livestock technicians. The company, over time, has refocused its marketing system. She no longer travels the city looking for customers. They are the ones who come to her. Every morning, the company's headquarters in La Patte d'Oie is always full. Hundreds of people, including women, come to refuel. In fact, 90% of egg production is consumed in Ouagadougou.

No credit, iron tomorrow

Even if everything seems to be going well for the company, the poultry sector is encountering difficulties. "First of all, we don't have enough training. Many practice this activity out of passion or greed for gain. The second difficulty is that there is no promotion either from the state or from institutions. People go there at their own risk. There is a conception of our decision-makers that modern poultry farming is a fantasy for those who practice it. Even when you reach a certain level, the banks do not trust you enough to grant you financing. It's a shame, "he sighs.

"The best are dead"

The merits of Moablaou were recognized in May 2019 in Abidjan by a communication agency which awarded the promoter a prize. “I received a letter at the end of February 2019 from a communication agency, based in Côte d'Ivoire (Africa Truth), who informed me that I was elected best promoter of the poultry sector in the UEMOA zone . When someone tells me I'm the best, I don't trust that person. Because the best are already dead. I immediately thought of a joke because raising chickens and receiving an award seemed quite lyrical to me. But, they insisted it was not a hoax. "

To reassure the entrepreneur, a team from the agency went to Ouagadougou in March and produced a mini-documentary there. “We don't just live on bread. When people honor you, you must not refuse, ”notes Mr. Ouattara, without pride. During the award ceremony, eleven people were distinguished, including the Burkinabè Minister in charge of National Education, Pr Stanislas Ouaro.

Moablaou does not intend to stop there. Its manager feeds
an extension project with the objective in two years of reaching 400,000 poultry. He also intends to diversify his activities by making broilers and cutting.

"Don't cheat"

“You cannot spend your life depending on others. Doing business doesn't mean you have to have done Harvard or the big universities. We must not neglect a sector of activity when we are unemployed, "advises Abu Simbel Ouattara to young people to whom he reaches out. "My door is open to anyone interested in poultry farming. In life, you shouldn't cheat. You have to work with passion and be patient. A business owner does not really become a manager until after 10, 15, 20 years, "he convinces himself.

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